But when you’re on a tight budget, how do you choose an English editing service for your manuscript? This article compares various services, looking at not just price but also how much value they provide researchers.
What do researchers need from an editing service?
To get your research, especially a journal article, edited, you need to find a provider that gives you:
Quality
Some high-impact journals reject 80-90% of the submissions they receive. You need high-quality editing, to polish up your article to meet the standards of top journals.
Subject Matter Expertise
A research paper contains specialized terminology and describes complex ideas. You need an editor who is familiar with your field: you don’t want someone to change “vas deferens” into “vast difference” or use “tibula” for “tibia.”
Post-Editing Support
Unless you are in that unicorn <1% of researchers whose papers get accepted without changes at the journal of their choice, you are going to have to revise your paper after peer review. Look for an English editing service that gives you multiple rounds of editing, so that you can keep your paper polished and coherent.
Price
“I have such a big budget I don’t know what to do with it” said no researcher ever. Balance price considerations and quality in your budget when you choose an editing service.
Top English Editing Service Providers, With Price
Here’s our list of editing service providers, curated especially for researchers.
Editage
With >23 years of experience in scholarly publishing, Editage offers services and solutions for literally every step of your publication journey, right from finding the right studies to cite to promoting your published paper on social media.
What Editage has to offer:
· 3000+ Subject matter expert editors (many with PhD/MD qualifications)
· Free re-editing (for certain plans) up to 365 days or heavily discounted
· Additional services like graphical abstract preparation, journal selection, statistical review, etc.
· Educational resources for researchers, ranging from data analysis to networking
Pricing: ~ USD 40-60 per 1000 words
Wordvice
Founded in 2013, Wordvice operates in 6 countries: the US, Turkey, China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
What Wordvice has to offer:
· 500+ subject matter expert editors
· Additional services like essay editing, business & corporate editing
· Educational resources for researchers
Pricing: ~ USD 23-44 per 1000 words
PaperBlazer
Founded in 2012 by a former writing tutor at Ball State Writing Center, PaperBlazer values simplicity, personality, security, and efficiency.
What PaperBlazer has to offer:
· Same day turnaround times
· Writing resources for researchers
· Editing on Google Docs
Pricing: ~USD 20 per 1000 words (for AI-based editing), otherwise up to USD 60 per 1000 words
EditMyEnglish
Currently based in Seattle, EditMyEnglish, was originally established in Indiana in 2004 to serve international students at Purdue University. The company today has served over 10,000 customers from 125 countries.
What EditMyEnglish has to offer:
· Additional services like business editing, college admissions essay editing
· Option to select your editor under the Premium Plus plan
· Free re-editing only under the Premium Plus plan
· A Basic plan designed for students only
Price: USD 7.49 per page onwards
Scribendi
The name of this company comes from cacoethes scribendi, which means "the insatiable urge to write." Originally founded in Ontario, Canada, Scribendi was acquired in 2023 by Edanz Inc, a Japan-based company specializing in researcher services.
What Scribendi has to offer:
· Subject matter expert editors: Yes
· Multiple choices for delivery speed
· Additional services like business editing, website editing, script editing
· Student-focused discounts
Price: ~USD 55 per 1,000 words for academic editing
Scribbr
Founded by 2 students in 2012 as a proofreading and editing company, Scribbr today is a well-known brand in edtech, with a team of over 80 members.
What Scribbr has to offer:
· 550+ subject matter expert editors
· Additional services like structure check, clarity check, paper formatting, citation editing
· Comprehensive knowledge base for students
Price: ~USD 20 per 1000 words for basic proofreading (formatting, clarity, etc. not included)
PaperTrue
Founded in 2014, PaperTrue now has offices in the US, Singapore, India, and the UK, with 24/7 customer service via chat, phone, and email. The company’s aim is to make impeccable written English accessible to everyone.
What PaperTrue has to offer:
· Support for book authors through book typesetting, book cover design, online distribution services
· Specialized services for admissions essays, assignments, and personal statements
· Plagiarism check service for students
Price: USD 21 per 1000 words (cheaper if you opt for AI-assisted editing)
ProofreadingPal
Brian Kaldenberg, the founder of ProofreadingPal, has over twelve years of experience in ecommerce business management, while Alicia Rossano, their in-house proofreader, is a graduate of the University of Iowa, with an MFA in literary translation (Latin – English).
What ProofreadingPal has to offer:
· Instant quotes for new clients
· Specialized services for resumes, cover letters and CVs
· Proofreading and editing for marketing copy, business presentations, and memos
Price: ~USD 28 per 1000 words
Academia Editing
Academia Editing’s team consists of statistical analysts, medical specialists, research professionals and IT experts.
What Academia Editing offers:
· Additional academic translation service
· Free re-editing if the customer is dissatisfied
· IThenticate-based plagiarism check service
Pricing: ~USD 30 per 1000 words
JournalEdit
JournalEdit promises flexible scheduling and dedicated expertise covering a variety of academic fields.
What JournalEdit offers:
20% discount for mailing list members
Free re-editing under higher-cost packagesEditing of responses to reviewer comments
Pricing: USD 99 onwards per manuscript
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best editing service a research paper, when you’ve a tight budget?
I’d recommend Editage as a good academic editing service when you’ve a tight budget: you get both subject matter expert editors + re-editing support as you revise your manuscript after reviewer comments.
2. Which is a good editing service for students?
Both Scribbr and Wordvice offer specialized services for students writing essays or college admissions applications. I’ve also found Scribbr’s educational resources very student-focused.